It is a colorless or white solid that melts easily and exhibits significant solubility in water.

It is prepared by chlorination of phenol, preferably in polar solvents, which tends to yield the 4-chloro derivative.

Direct chlorination of molten phenol favors the formation of 2-chlorophenol.

[7] It is a classic precursor, upon reaction with phthalic anhydride, to quinizarin.

[8] The commercial dye quinizarin is produced by the reaction of phthalic anhydride and 4-chlorophenol followed by hydrolysis of the chloride.